U.S. patent application number 09/373625 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-17 for in-vehicle promotions system.
Invention is credited to GRANGER, DANIEL D., WILLIAMS, ERIC N..
Application Number | 20020007306 09/373625 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26836259 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020007306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GRANGER, DANIEL D. ; et
al. |
January 17, 2002 |
IN-VEHICLE PROMOTIONS SYSTEM
Abstract
An in-vehicle promotions system and a method for distributing
promotions information. A system is installed in a vehicle able to
display promotions information from stores or other businesses
subscribing to the system. When the vehicle is driven within a
certain proximity of the store, the promotions information, which
may include coupons, is automatically displayed. The system may
also include a printer for printing the promotions or other
information either on demand or automatically. The position of the
vehicle may be monitored with a GPS or Loran receiver and the
promotions information displayed when the system finds the position
of the vehicle to be within a defined range of a store with which
the promotions information is associated. The store may also
transmit the coupon information which is received by the in-vehicle
system when the vehicle comes within a defined transmitting range
of the store.
Inventors: |
GRANGER, DANIEL D.; (TARPON
SPRINGS, FL) ; WILLIAMS, ERIC N.; (TAMPA,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON SPIVAK MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT PC
FOURTH FLOOR
1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
26836259 |
Appl. No.: |
09/373625 |
Filed: |
August 13, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60138500 |
Jun 9, 1999 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.55 ;
705/14.57; 705/14.63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0266 20130101;
G09F 21/049 20200501; G06Q 30/0277 20130101; G09F 21/04 20130101;
G09F 27/00 20130101; G06Q 30/0259 20130101; G06Q 30/0267 20130101;
G06Q 30/0257 20130101; G06Q 30/0255 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent is:
1. An in-vehicle promotions system installed in a vehicle,
comprising: a position receiver; a controller connected to said
receiver; a wireless communications device connected to said
controller; and a display adapted to be installed in said vehicle
and connected to said controller.
2. A system as recited in claim 1, comprising a printer connected
to said controller.
3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises
one of a GPS receiver and a Loran receiver.
4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said wireless
communications system comprises one of a radio modem, a cellular
modem and paging transceiver.
5. A system as recited in claim 1, comprising: a memory connected
to said controller having a lookup table linking a position of said
vehicle with a storage location of promotions information.
6. A system as recited in claim 5, comprising: means for updating
said memory.
7. A system as recited in claim 5, wherein: said memory comprises a
promotions information storage area.
8. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein: said display comprises
touch command areas for controlling display and printing of
promotions information displayed on said display.
9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein: said receiver outputs a
position of said vehicle; and said controller comprises means for
retrieving promotions information based upon said position of said
vehicle.
10. A system as recited in claim 1, comprising: means for storing
information linking a zone with promotions information; and said
controller retrieving said promotions information associated with
said zone based upon said vehicle entering said zone.
11. A system as recited in claim 10, comprising: means for storing
information linking a zone proximate to a store with promotions
information associated with said store.
12. A system as recited in claim 10, comprising: said controller
displaying said promotions information associated with said zone
only after said vehicle enters said zone.
13. A system as recited in claim 1, comprising: means for storing
information linking promotions information with a business entity;
and said controller retrieving said promotions information
associated with said business entity based upon a user request for
information related to said business entity.
14. A system as recited in claim 1, comprising: means for storing
information linking a zone with promotions information; and said
controller retrieving said promotions information associated with
said zone based upon a user request for information related to said
business entity.
15. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said display displays
promotions information including coupon information.
16. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein said display includes
means for activating printing of said coupon information using said
printer.
17. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller
comprises means for logging activity related to display of said
promotions information.
18. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a store
system wirelessly linked with said wireless communications device,
said store system comprising: a second wireless communications
device; a store controller connected to said second wireless
communications device; and said store controller providing
automatic promotional benefits to identified persons.
19. A system as recited in claim 18, wherein: said controller
contains personal identification information identifying one or
more persons associated with said vehicle; said controller is
adapted to communicate said personal identification information to
said store controller; and said store controller is adapted to
provide automatic promotional benefits to said one or more
persons.
20. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein said controller is
further adapted to communicate to said store controller an
indication of promotion displayed on said display.
21. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a host
system wirelessly linked with said wireless communications device,
said host system comprising: a second controller; a second wireless
communications device connected to said second controller; and a
promotions information storage device connected to said second
controller.
22. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein: said receiver is
adapted to output a position of said vehicle to said controller;
said controller comprises means for retrieving promotions
information from said host system based upon said position.
23. A system as recited in claim 21, comprising: a memory connected
to said controller storing information linking position and a
storage location of corresponding promotions information; said
controller comprises means for automatically retrieving from said
host system updated information linking said position and said
location of corresponding promotions information.
24. A system as recited in claim 21, further comprising a store
controller in communication with said second controller and wherein
said store controller provides automatic promotional benefits to
identified persons.
25. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein: said controller
contains personal identification information identifying one or
more persons associated with said vehicle; said controller
communicates said passenger identification information to said
store controller; and said store controller provides automatic
promotional benefits to said one or more persons.
26. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein said controller
further communicates to said store controller an indication of
promotion displayed on said display.
27. A system as recited in claim 1, comprising: means for storing
at least one of position data corresponding to a position of a
store with which promotions data is associated and identification
data identifying said store; said display including means for
displaying said data based upon at least one said position data and
said identification data.
28. A system as recited in claim 27, comprising: means for
retrieving said promotions data based upon at least one of said
position data and said identification data.
29. An in-vehicle promotions system installed in a vehicle,
comprising: an RF receiver receiving transmitted promotions
information; a controller connected to said receiver a display
adapted to be installed in said vehicle and connected to said
controller for displaying said promotions information.
30. A system as recited in claim 29, comprising a printer connected
to said controller.
31. A system as recited in claim 29, wherein: said display
comprises touch command areas for controlling display and printing
of said promotions information displayed on said display.
32. A system as recited in claim 29, wherein said display displays
said promotions information including coupon information.
33. A system as recited in claim 32, wherein said display includes
means for activating printing of said coupon information using said
printer.
34. A system as recited in claim 29, further comprising a host
system which comprises: a second controller; an RF transmitter for
transmitting said promotions information to said RF receiver; and a
promotions information storage device connected to said second
controller.
35. A system as recited in claim 34, comprising: means for updating
said storage device.
36. A system as recited in claim 29, wherein: said RF transmitter
is located in a store; said RF transmitter has a transmitting range
proximate to said store.
37. A system as recited in claim 29, comprising: said RF receiver
receiving said promotions information upon said vehicle entering
said range.
38. A system as recited in claim 29, wherein: said promotions
information is displayed in response to information provided by a
user request.
39. A system as recited in claim 29, further comprising; a wireless
communications device installed in said vehicle and connected to
said controller; a store system wirelessly linked with said
wireless communications device.
40. A system as recited in claim 39, wherein said store system
comprises: a second wireless controller; and a store controller
which provides automatic promotional benefits to identified
persons.
41. A system as recited in claim 40, wherein: said controller
contains personal identification information identifying one or
more persons associated with said vehicle; said controller
communicates said personal identification information to said store
controller; and said store controller is adapted to provide
automatic promotional benefits to said one or more persons.
42. A system as recited in claim 41, wherein said controller
further communicates to said store controller an indication of
promotion displayed on said display.
43. A method of displaying promotions information in a vehicle,
comprising: storing data corresponding to said promotions
information in said vehicle; and displaying said data after said
vehicle comes within a defined proximity to a store with which said
promotions information is associated.
44. A method as recited in claim 43, comprising: updating said
data.
45. A method as recited in claim 43, comprising: storing data
linking a position of said vehicle with said promotions
information; monitoring said position of said vehicle; and
displaying said data corresponding to said promotions information
using said data linking said position and said promotions
information after said position of said vehicle is within said
defined proximity to said store.
46. A method as recited in claim 43, comprising: printing said data
in said vehicle.
47. A method as recited in claim 43, comprising: said data
including coupon information.
48. A method as recited in claim 43, further comprising printing
said coupon information in said vehicle.
49. A method as recited in claim 43, comprising: defining a zone
proximate to said store; determining a position of said vehicle;
comparing said position with said zone; and determining whether to
display said data based upon said comparison.
50. A method as recited in claim 43, comprising: monitoring a
position of said vehicle using one of a GPS system and a Loran
system.
51. A method as recited in claim 43, comprising: transmitting said
data from store, and receiving said data in said vehicle.
52. A method as recited in claim 43, comprising: storing personal
identification information of one or more persons associated with
said vehicle; communicating to said store said personal
identification information and identification of said data after
said data is displayed; and providing to said one or more persons
an automatic promotional benefit corresponding to said data.
53. A method as recited in claim 43, comprising: transmitting said
data from a host system; and receiving said data in said
vehicle.
54. A method as recited in claim 53, comprising: using said data
stored in said vehicle for a predetermined period of time; and
updating said data with updated data transmitted from said
host.
55. A method as recited in claim 54, comprising: automatically
updating said data with said updated data.
56. A method as recited in claim 43, comprising: storing at least
one of position data relating to a position of said store and
identification data identifying said store; displaying said data
corresponding to said promotions information based upon at least
one of said position data and said identification data.
57. A method as recited in claim 56, comprising: retrieving said
data corresponding to said promotions information based upon at
least one of said position data and said identification data.
58. A method of displaying promotions information in a vehicle,
comprising: storing data corresponding to said promotions
information in said vehicle; associating said promotions
information with a store and the location of said store; accepting
a user request for a geographical range of interest; and displaying
said data based upon location of said store falling within said
geographical range of interest.
59. A method of displaying promotions information in a vehicle,
comprising: storing data corresponding to said promotions
information in said vehicle; associating said promotions
information with a store; and displaying said data based upon user
request for information concerning said store.
60. A method of distributing promotions information, comprising:
forming a database of promotions information of at least one store;
wirelessly distributing data corresponding to said promotions
information to a vehicle; and displaying said data after said
vehicle comes within a defined range of said store.
61. A method as recited in claim 60, comprising: displaying said
data only after said vehicle comes within a defined range of said
store.
62. A method as recited in claim 60, comprising: printing said data
corresponding to said promotions information.
63. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein said data comprises
coupon data.
64. A method as recited in claim 60, comprising: storing personal
identification information of one or more persons associated with
said vehicle; communicating to said store said personal
identification information and identification of said data after
said data is displayed; and providing to said one or more persons
an automatic promotional benefit corresponding to said data.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is related to an in-vehicle promotions
system, and in particular to an in-vehicle promotions system for
displaying advertising, including discount coupon information, and
the optional printing of the displayed advertising or coupons.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0004] Many manufacturers and business establishments distribute
discount coupons or advertisements offering discounted or sale
prices on items through merchandising such as direct mailing of
advertising brochures or catalogs, printing advertisements or
coupons in newspapers and magazines or, recently, through the
Internet. A customer will collect the coupon and present it at the
time of purchase to receive a discount, or will bring the
advertisement offering the discounted prices. The retail store will
redeem the coupon, which is typically bar coded for reading by an
optical scanner, or the computer system of the store will already
be programmed with the discounted item price.
[0005] These methods of marketing to the consumer have a
disadvantage that the customer may not in fact know of the coupon
or of the item being offered at a discounted price. Unless the
customer is inclined to patronize a business establishment or had a
reason to visit the business establishment, the marketing is
ineffective. The marketing is ineffective from another standpoint,
as a common goal in a marketing campaign is to increase the number
of customers who buy a particular product or to add new customers.
The people who are inclined to visit the business establishment are
not new customers. Also, a customer who collects such coupons may
belong to a narrow group and also may not be new customers.
[0006] With the advent of electronic and digital communication, new
ways are being explored to reach existing and potential customers.
Such ways often try to employ intelligent systems which
automatically perform such tasks as searching for information and
then supplying it to a user or potential customer so that he or she
can browse the information at his or her leisure. An example of
such a system is the personalized Internet newspapers which
automatically search for articles based upon a profile prepared by
the subscriber. The Internet newspaper then at some interval,
usually daily, prepares a personalized newspaper accessible at the
subscriber's leisure.
[0007] Another concern of a marketing campaign is to reach people
at times when their work or personal obligations do not otherwise
command their attention. Such approaches are exemplified by
television monitors in airport waiting areas, monitors in commuter
train cars, etc. What is needed is a system which can provide
information in the way of advertising, coupons, etc. at a time
which is convenient for a person in an intelligent manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
in-vehicle promotions system where a person can receive promotions
information, which is information concerning promotional benefits
offered to the customer, such as notification of a business'
services and or products, sale, advertising discount or coupon
information, in their vehicle automatically.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide an
in-vehicle promotions system where promotions information is
distributed based upon the vehicle coming into proximity to a
business establishment or other business location with which the
promotions information is associated.
[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide an
in-vehicle promotions systems adaptable to be used with existing
navigation and display instruments.
[0011] It is still another object of the invention to allow a
person, while in their vehicle, to optionally print coupon
information of a business establishment either in proximity to the
vehicle or selected by the occupants of the vehicle.
[0012] It is another object of this invention to provide an
in-vehicle promotion system which will automatically credit
promotional benefits to persons passing a business establishment
through the communication to the business establishment of personal
identification information, that is stored in the in-vehicle
system, which identifies the customer to the business
establishment.
[0013] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a
method of displaying promotions information in the vehicle where
the promotions information is displayed after the vehicle comes
within a defined proximity to a business establishment with which
the promotions information is associated.
[0014] It is yet another object of the invention to allow retailers
and manufacturers to reach customers when they might not otherwise
be reached, at a time and place when the customer or potential
customer is inclined to visit a business establishment or the
retailer or manufacturer and make a purchase.
[0015] These and other objects of the invention are achieved by an
in-vehicle promotions system having a position receiver, and a
controller, a wireless communications device, a display adapted to
be installed in the vehicle, and an optional printer, each
connected to the controller. The receiver may be a Loran or
GPS-based receiver and the wireless communications system may be
either a radio modem or a cellular modem, or a paging system.
[0016] The controller may be connected to a memory storing a lookup
table linking a position of the vehicle with a storage location of
promotions information. The promotions information may be stored in
the memory connected to the controller, or may be stored in a
memory in a host system wirelessly linked to the in-vehicle system.
The system may also include a means for storing information linking
a zone proximate to the business establishment with the promotions
information associated with the business establishment.
[0017] The display may have touch command areas for controlling the
display and optional printing of the displayed promotions
information. The promotions information displayed may include
coupon information, and such displays may have a means for
activating printing of the coupon information.
[0018] The receiver may output a position of the vehicle, and the
controller may have a means for retrieving promotions information
based upon the position of the vehicle. The controller may also
retrieve the promotions information associated with a zone
proximate to the business establishment with which the promotions
information is associated, based upon the vehicle entering the
zone.
[0019] The system may also include a host system wirelessly linked
to the in-vehicle system, preferably to the wireless communications
device. The host system may include a second controller, and a
second wireless communications device and promotions information
storage device connected to the second controller. The receiver in
the in-vehicle system may output a position of the vehicle to the
controller of the in-vehicle system, and the controller may
comprise means for retrieving promotions information from the host
system based upon this position. A memory may be connected to the
controller storing information linking a position of the vehicle
and a storage location of corresponding promotions information, and
the controller may comprise means for automatically retrieving from
the host system updated information linking the position and
location of corresponding promotions information.
[0020] The in-vehicle promotion system may notify the business
establishment or host system of the vehicle's proximity to a
business establishment, thereby allowing the business establishment
to automatically provide promotional benefits to the customer. The
store may have an account for customers with in-vehicle systems,
and the in-vehicle system will have identification data which
identifies a person or persons associated with the vehicle to the
business establishment. The notification provided to the business
establishment will include this identification, allowing the
business establishment to reflect the promotional benefits in the
account corresponding to the person associated with the
vehicle.
[0021] In a second embodiment of the invention, the in-vehicle
promotions system may include a RF receiver receiving transmitted
promotions information, a controller connected to the receiver, and
a display adapted to be installed in the vehicle and a printer,
both connected to the controller.
[0022] The second embodiment may also include a host system having
a second controller and an RF transmitter for transmitting the
promotions information to the RF receiver in the in-vehicle system.
The host system may also include a promotions information storage
device connected to the second controller. The RF transmitter may
be located in the business establishment, and the RF transmitter
has a transmitting range proximate to the business establishment.
The RF receiver receives the promotion information when the vehicle
is in the range of the RF transmitter.
[0023] The second embodiment may also include an RF transmitter in
the vehicle to notify business establishments when the vehicle is
in the business establishment's proximity. This RF transmitter
would transmit personal identification information to allow the
business establishment to provide automatic promotional benefits to
the person or persons identified as associated with the
vehicle.
[0024] These and other objects are also achieved by a method of
displaying promotions information in the vehicle including the
steps of storing data corresponding to the promotions information
in the vehicle, and displaying the data after the vehicle becomes
within a defined proximity to a business establishment with which
the promotions information is associated. A method may also include
the steps of storing data linking a position of the vehicle with
promotions information, monitoring the position of the vehicle and
displaying the data corresponding to the promotions information
using the data linking the position and the promotions information
after the position of the vehicle is within the defined proximity
to the business establishment. A method may also include printing
the data in the vehicle, and printing coupon information when the
data includes coupon information.
[0025] The promotions data may also be transmitted from the
business establishment and received in the vehicle. The promotions
information may be stored in the vehicle for a predetermined period
of time and the data may be updated with data transmitted from a
host system. The updating may be performed automatically.
[0026] The objects of the invention may also be achieved with a
method of distributing promotions information including the steps
of forming a database of promotions information of at least one
business establishment, wirelessly distributing data corresponding
to the promotions information to a vehicle, and displaying the data
when the vehicle is within a defined area of the business
establishment. The data may be displayed only after the vehicle
comes within the defined range. The method may also include
printing data corresponding to the promotions information, printing
coupons when the data is coupon data and notifying the business
establishment of the identity or persons associated with the
vehicle when the vehicle is in the proximity of the business
establishment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of
the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the
same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 is an overall view of the system and method according
to the invention;
[0029] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a store system according to
the invention;
[0030] FIG. 2B is a simplified block diagram of the processor shown
in the system of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram showing a first
embodiment of an in-vehicle promotions device according to the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a host system
according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a GPS-based in-vehicle
system;
[0034] FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a Loran-based in-vehicle
system;
[0035] FIGS. 6A-6D are diagrams of data formats used in the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a display according to the
invention;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the
method and system according to the invention;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a the host system in the second
embodiment of the system according to the invention; and
[0039] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the
in-vehicle system according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1
illustrating an overall operation of the system and method
according to the invention. An in-vehicle display system 10 is
installed in a vehicle 1. The vehicle travels in the proximity of a
retail store 2. Retail store 2 could be a stand-alone store or be a
shopping center containing a number of merchants, such as a mall or
shopping strip, other retail outlet, or business establishment. The
description below will use the term "store" to refer to any or all
of such businesses. Shown in dashed lines around store 2 is a
proximity zone 3 defining an area assigned to the store (or a group
of stores in the case of a shopping center). When vehicle 1 enters
zone 3, system 10 displays sale, advertising, discount or coupon
information ("promotions information") of the stores or stores
corresponding with zone 3. Proximity zone 3 may be defined by a
radial range centered on store 2, such as 100 m, or could be a
defined area such as a parking lot or area bounded by nearby
streets. Thus, when the vehicle enters the parking lot of a retail
store, any available information relating to that store would be
available for display and/or printing by the occupant or occupants
of the vehicle. The proximity of other stores could also be
factored into the size and shape of zone 3.
[0041] Store 2 may have a store system 4 performing various
operations in connection with sales and promotions of products.
Store system 4 is shown in block form in FIG. 2A. The system 4 has
a controller 6, a communications port 5 and a database 7.
Communications port 5 may include a wireless communication device,
such as a cellular or radio modem or paging transceiver. Database 7
may contain a frequent shopper database allowing promotions to be
targeted to frequent customers, as described in more detail below,
and/or a database of promotional information to be disseminated to
customers. System 4 may be part of a point-of-sale system used for
the sale of products.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the information display
system 10 according to the invention. Such a system is designed to
be installed in an automotive vehicle and preferably cooperate with
existing electronics. The system of FIG. 3 includes a controller 11
that may include a processor for carrying out data processing,
memory accessing and retrieval, and memory management. Connected to
controller 11 is a wireless remote communication device 12. Device
12 allows wireless communication between the system and a remote
host system, which will be described in more detail below.
[0043] The wireless remote communication device 12 may be a
wireless modem such as a cellular modem or a radio modem. Such
modems are manufactured by companies such as Motorola. Systems
exist now, such as the ARDIS (semiconductor) wireless network
capable of functioning with the Motorola radio modems discussed
above, which charges based on usage. Alternatively, a cellular
modem could dial a toll free number connecting to host system 20.
The wireless communication system may also be a paging system. In
this case the in-vehicle system can page host 20 to send and
receive information.
[0044] In the preferred embodiment, a printer 13 is also connected
to controller 11. The invention may also be practiced in
embodiments without a printer, but only a display. Printer 13 could
be a small thermal printer for printing out coupons or other
promotions information. The coupons and other promotions
information may also be displayed on display 14. Display 14 could
be a touch screen having touch command areas which allow printing
of the coupon or advertising information using printer 13. Display
14 may be of the kind currently installed in vehicles and used to
display vehicle operation information, driving maps, etc. System 10
may also include an indicator 15 to alert a driver or passenger of
the vehicle of the receipt of promotions information, more
promotions information is waiting for display, the system is
activated or remote communication is taking place. Some of the
functions of indicator 15 may be performed on display 14 in the
form of the touch command areas.
[0045] An example of promotions information is shown in FIG. 7.
Screen 70 contains promotions display area 71 where the
advertising, sale, discount or coupon information is displayed.
Area 71 displays the details of the promotion, the effective dates
of the promotion, etc. At the bottom of screen 70 are touch command
areas 72-75 to execute functions on the promotions information. An
area such as 72 both indicating additional information is to be
displayed and allowing access to the next screen of information may
be included. A previous screen command 73, print command 74 and
exit 75 (or return to vehicle operation or driving directions
display) may also be included. The areas may be different for
different screens. For example, the display may include an area
indicating that system 10 is communicating with host system 20, or
memory updating (described below) is taking place.
[0046] In the case of closely positioned retail stores, overlapping
ranges 3 could occur. In this case multiple information could be
displayed for different stores, preferably in the different screens
where the user could scroll through the screens using the command
areas on the touch display 14.
[0047] Indicator 15 may be a light on the instrument panel near the
display used in a similar fashion alerting the occupants of the
vehicle to operations such as those described above for display
14.
[0048] The system also includes a receiver 16 for producing vehicle
location information used by the processor to determine the
information to be displayed and a data port 17. The system may also
receive information identifying, or which can be used to identify,
store 2 via device 12. The processor 11 then links the identifying
information with the promotions information, displaying it on
display 14. The processor could also alert the occupant(s) of the
vehicle using indicator 15 or on display 14 to the presence of the
promotions information, allowing the occupant(s) to display or
print the information as desired, and to switch between the
promotions display and, for example, the vehicle operation display.
Port 17 allows access to system 10 to store or modify system
parameters, and for diagnosis and any needed maintenance. Port 17
may also include an optical or magnetic disk drive to allow
information to be input to or output from system 10 using optical
or magnetic disks.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 2B, controller 11 may be configured as a
CPU 31 connected to memory 30 and I/O circuitry 32. Memory 30
represents both internal memory and external (to the CPU) memory,
with the internal memory containing the code being executed by CPU
and possibly other frequently used information while the external
memory is typically of higher capacity and stores other information
such as additional code executed by the CPU and a determined amount
of promotions information. The external memory may be implemented
as one or more of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic or an optical
memory.
[0050] In a first example of the system according to the invention
shown in FIG. 5A, receiver 16 is a GPS-based receiver 50 receiving
signals 53 from GPS satellites 51 and outputting an approximate
position 52 of the vehicle. The position information is utilized by
controller 11 to determine whether information is to be displayed.
For example, the position information from GPS-receiver 16 is used
by controller 11 to display information based upon proximity of the
vehicle to store 2, i.e., when vehicle 1 enters zone 3.
[0051] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5B, receiver 16 may be a
Loran-based receiver 55 producing location information 56, produced
by, for example, Megapulse, Inc. Receiver 55 receives signals 57
from antenna(s) 58 to produce location information.
[0052] Information relating the vehicle position and store 2 may be
stored in memory 30, such as in a lookup table. Controller 11
receiving the position information produced from receiver 16 can
compare the position information with data stored in the lookup
table. The lookup table may be prepared by the manufacturer of the
system and loaded into the system before installation into vehicle
2. The lookup table may also be updated with data received over the
wireless communications device 12, or periodically through port 17
from an external device, or through a disk drive if included in
port 17. Periodic updates through devices connected to port 17 or
through port 17 may be accomplished through shipment of a CD ROM or
other bulk data carrying devices.
[0053] The data may have the form shown in FIG. 6A where memory
locations contain a position value or a position range value 60 and
store address information 61 indicating a memory address of the
promotions information corresponding with that store (or stores).
If any matches are found, i.e., the position matches or the
received position is in one of the stored position ranges, the
processor uses the store address 61 to link with and retrieve
display information 62 (FIG. 6B) stored in memory 31, or uses the
wireless remote communication device 12 to connect with the host
system 20 to retrieve any promotions information stored in host
system 20 for the particular store which is to be displayed by the
system. In other words, as one is driving his or her vehicle and
the vehicle comes into a certain proximity to a store, for example,
the 100 m range, the system would display the current promotions
information. This would present the promotions information to
someone actually going to that particular store concerning the
current sale items, discounts or coupons or may alert someone not
intending to go to the particular store of promotions that may be
attractive or interesting, causing the person to enter the store.
If the information consists of coupons, the person may instruct the
system through display 14 to print the coupons using printer 13, or
the system could be configured to automatically print coupons.
[0054] As apparent from the above discussion of the first example,
the stores 2 do not need to have any equipment to take advantage of
the system according to the invention. However, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2A, a store 2 having store system 4 will provide additional
features and functionality compared to that available from the
first example. Store system 4 may include a receiver, transmitter
or transceiver to receive and transmit information, such as the
promotional information or customer identification information.
Information may be sent to or received from the vehicle 1 or to
host system 20.
[0055] An alternative to printing coupons would be to provide
automatic promotional benefits, such as discounts, to persons
identified as passengers in vehicle 1. This alternative would
communicate the identification of persons who are passengers in or
associated with vehicle 1 to the stores and the promotional benefit
would be available to the person upon showing their identity to the
store. Such identification could be based on a store's frequent
shopper program, or other accounts provided to the customer. The
invention could also use home telephone number, identification
information returned from radio frequency interrogation of a
cellular phone, social security number or equivalent indicia to
identify passengers in vehicle 1.
[0056] The preferred embodiment of the invention allows the person
in vehicle 1 to enter their personal identification information
through a touch screen display 14. Alternative embodiments could
pre-program controller 11 with identification information or allow
programming through port 17.
[0057] As vehicle 1 is driven, controller 11 would notify host
system 20, through wireless communications device 12, when vehicle
1, and/or it's associated passenger, enters a zone 3 in proximity
to a particular store 2. The notification may be automatic using
the stored identification information, or may be in response to an
action of the user. The notification may be sent to host 20 which
is programmed to receive and process the identification information
and output the appropriate response to the vehicle. This
notification may also identify the promotion 70 displayed on
display 14 in order to provide the correct promotional benefit. The
promotion 70 displayed will not have to be identified if the
particular store is only using one promotion. Host system 20 may
notify the vehicle of the frequent shopper promotion to alert the
passenger(s) of the need to provide their frequent shopper
identification at the associated store. There would be no need to
print a coupon in this instance.
[0058] In a modification of the system just described, when a store
has a store system 4, host system 20 may relay the passenger
identification information and displayed promotion information to
the store system 4 associated with store 2 via port 5 to allow
store system 4 to automatically provide the displayed promotional
benefit to the person(s) identified to be in vehicle 1. Store
system 4 may even be programmed to notify the vehicle of the
waiting promotional benefit through the wireless communication
systems 12. The person(s) identified as being in vehicle 1 would
then simply show identification to the store in order to receive
the displayed promotion 70, again obviating the need for a printed
coupon. Controller 11 may also create a log field to keep track of
how often promotions information for a particular location is
accessed, if the corresponding promotions information is displayed
and for what store, if the corresponding promotions information is
printed, etc. The log file may be stored in an allocated area of
memory 31, or may be sent to the host system 20. Processor 11 may
be programmed to periodically, for example weekly, send stored log
file information to host system 20 to allow data analysis, coupon
tracking, etc. In the case where the promotions information is
stored at and retrieved from host system 20, the logging activities
could also be performed by host system 20, exclusive of coupon
printing.
[0059] The amount of promotions information which may be available
to processor 10 will be determined by the memory allocated to the
system. In one version of the first embodiment, processor 10 could
contain minimal memory allocated to the promotions information.
Memory 30 contains the lookup table having position information 60
and address information 61, and a certain amount of buffer memory
allocated to hold promotions information. In this version memory 30
would be preferably a semiconductor memory. If a match is made,
processor 11 would then access a remote host (system 20) using
wireless communication device 12 and download any appropriate
information. Virtually each time promotions information is to be
displayed, it is retrieved via the wireless communication device 11
from host system 20 and stored in the buffer memory. The
information would then be displayed on display 14 and could be
printed through user interaction. It may also be possible to
directly instruct the processor to print an appropriate coupon.
[0060] In a second version, the processor could contain a larger
amount of memory and store both the lookup table and the
corresponding promotions information. Memory 30 could be a magnetic
or optical disk. When a match between the GPS position and a store
is determined by processor 11, the corresponding promotions
information is retrieved from memory 30 and displayed. In the event
all of the promotions information cannot be stored in memory 30,
the second version of system 10 would contact host system 20, as
described above, to retrieve the promotions information. The second
version reduces the amount of remote communication and associated
costs of using the wireless communication systems.
[0061] Retail stores typically now advertise on a weekly basis in
magazines and newspapers. The processor 11, in the first and second
versions, at a given interval such as weekly, may be programmed to
automatically use wireless remote communication device 12 to access
host system 20 and update the lookup table (first version) and both
the lookup table and the promotions data (in the second version),
by downloading the (weekly) information. The wireless remote
communication device 12 could also be used to update the lookup
table and/or promotions data at any time desired by the
advertisers. The look up table, and promotions data (in the second
version), could also be updated though the use of a mass storage
device connected to port 17.
[0062] The cost of such systems could be born by the advertisers.
The system could then possibly be offered as a free option in the
vehicle either as a stand-alone system or a system which accesses a
touch screen display already installed in the vehicle. GPS position
systems providing driving information are also currently available
in automobiles. The system according to the invention could be
easily adapted to work with the existing GPS navigation systems and
displays.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the host system 20.
System 20 includes a receiver 21 for connecting with and receiving
information from the in-vehicle system 10 installed in the vehicle.
Receiver 21 is connected to and send the information to controller
23. As discussed above, the information could be store address
information 61, which was compared in a lookup table in system 10
to determine whether a match exists between the position
information 60 and a store desiring to have promotions information
displayed. Host system 20 compares the store address 61 to
determine whether a match exists with promotions information 62.
Under the control of controller 23 promotions information can be
retrieved from a coupon file 24 or a promotions file 25 where data
corresponding to the coupon or advertising information, such as
image data, are stored. Coupon file 24 and promotions file 25 could
be different memory locations in a single memory. The coupon data
in file 24 and promotions data in file 25 may be mixed together and
stored by store name or position.
[0064] Controller 23 then transmits the information back to the
in-vehicle system 10 using transmitter 22. Transmitter 22 may be a
modem connected to a cellular system or to a radio system, or could
be a cellular modem or a radio modem similar to that and compatible
with the modem used by system 10. Transmitter 22 and receiver 21
could also be implemented as a single transceiver device.
[0065] Host system 20 could also receive from vehicle system 10
through receiver 21 identification information associated with the
person in vehicle 1, identification of which promotion is or has
been displayed on display 14 and notification that vehicle 1 has
entered zone 3 associated with a particular store 2, as discussed
above. The entrance of vehicle 1 into a zone 3 associated with a
store 2 can be used to provide automatically provide promotional
benefits to the person identified in vehicle 1. Automatic
promotional benefits can include the discounts advertised on the
in-vehicle display 14. Controller 23 will communicate the personal
identification and identify promotions displayed on the in-vehicle
display to a store system 4, which will then automatically provide
the promotional benefit to the identified person, as described
above. The store 2 will provide the promotional benefit to the
person identified in vehicle 1 for a limited time after the vehicle
1 has entered zone 3 associated with the particular store 2. The
person identified as in vehicle 1 will identify himself or herself
to the store to receive the promotional benefit displayed. Methods
and designs of systems to automatically provide promotions to
persons based upon their identity is known to practitioners in the
relevant arts.
[0066] Host system 20 stores the promotions information from the
retail stores. In the first version of the embodiment where the
in-vehicle system 10 contains minimal information, host system 20
frequently communicates and transfers promotions information 62
residing in file 24 or file 25 to system 10. Controller 23 would
then send to in-vehicle system 10 an appropriate amount of
promotions information in accordance with the memory capacity of
in-vehicle system 10. During such communication, the lookup table
in system 10 may be updated. In the second version where the
in-vehicle system 10 contains a larger amount of memory, host
system 20 communicates less frequently with system 10.
[0067] In the first embodiment, in-vehicle system 10 displays the
information when the vehicle enters the proximity of a particular
store 2. When the vehicle enters another range of a second store,
or when there is additional information to be displayed, the
display 14 or indicator light 15 could be used to signal the
occupants of the vehicle that additional information is waiting and
the current display can be cleared or printed, then allowing the
additional or new information to be displayed and/or printed as
desired.
[0068] A second embodiment of the in-vehicle system uses an RF
receiver, and is shown in FIGS. 8-10. In this embodiment host
system 80 is installed in the store 2 and includes an RF
transmitter. Host system 80 transmits a signal having a limited
range 81 (shown with dashed lines), i.e., proximate to store 2.
Such a range could be the same range used in the above-described
GPS or Loran system. Host system 80 includes a controller 83
connected to coupon file 24 and ad file 25, which contain
promotions information unique to a store 2 or a group of stores.
Controller 83 controls the transfer and formatting of the
promotions information to RF transmitter 82 which transmits a
signal containing the promotions information. Different screens of
promotions information may be transmitted together, or
separately.
[0069] The RF transmission from the host 80 is received by RF
receiver 91. The received signal is received by processor 92 and
processed for format recognition, display and/or printing. System
90 also includes a printer 93 and display 94, and may also include
an indicator 95, each functioning in the manner described above for
elements 13-15, respectively. In this embodiment, since a RF system
80 transmits the promotions information, the in-vehicle system 10
requires a smaller amount of memory since only data relating to the
particular store (or stores) need be received and processed.
[0070] System 90 could include an identification transmitter 96 to
notify host system 80 of the entrance of vehicle 1 into the
vicinity of the store 81. The identification would identify to the
store the identity of the person associated with vehicle 1 and
allow the store to automatically provide promotional benefits to
the person associated vehicle 1, for example, in the form of a
frequent shopper discount as discussed above.
[0071] The sale or advertising information from host 80 would reach
customers who are both inclined to come to the store, and those
proximate to the store. A person would then be able to learn of the
promotions information each time he or she brings his or her
vehicle into the range of the store. The customer would then not
have to spend time searching for, retrieving and sifting through
information to determine whether there are any specials of interest
at a store where the customer inclined to go and a store in
proximity to the customer.
[0072] The second embodiment could also include an RF receiver 84
in host system 80 to receive identification information or other
information from vehicles 1 entering the zone. Controller 83 is
connected to a store system 85 and provides the identification
information to store system 85.
[0073] In an third embodiment of the system according to the
invention, the in-vehicle system of the first embodiment contains
customizable features. System 10 contains a lookup table in memory
30 containing store location information. This information could be
expanded to include store names field 64 shown in FIG. 6D.
Processor 11 may search the information in the lookup table by both
position and store name.
[0074] Display 14 is also modified to contain command areas
allowing the user to access promotions information by location
(such as ZIP code, or street address) or by store name. Processor
11 receives the information request from the display and searches
the lookup table for a match. In the case of the GPS-based and
Loran-based systems in the first embodiment, the ZIP code or street
address can be converted by processor 11 to a range of GPS values
of Loran values. The store or stores meeting the input parameters
are displayed on display 14. The customer selects the particular
stores of interest and the in-vehicle system 10 displays the
corresponding promotions information retrieved via the wireless
remote communication device 12 from host 20 (first version) or
retrieved from memory 30 (second version). In this embodiment a
customer would not only be able to receive information due to the
proximity of the vehicle to the various stores subscribing to the
system, but could also display those which are of interest in the
area or also display the information from stores in a larger area
subscribing to the system.
[0075] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For
example, while the embodiments above show both a receiver and a
transmitter for receiving and transmitting information, a
transceiver may be used instead. While the invention has been
described as having one of a GPS, Loran or local receivers, the
system according to the invention may include two or all three of
the receivers. Also, various data formats conforming to the needs
of the store subscribers or to system constraints may be used. The
store system may also contain various storage devices and I/O
devices to store and process the various information desired by the
subscribers, or needed by system requirements. Also any needed
information may be remotely supplied to the store systems. It is
therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
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